Thunderstorms+prius...help me

[priusnve]

This weekend after a thunderstorm my prius had several warning lights and wouldnt start, has anyone else experience these problems...may have been light by lightning!

[kn6vv]

.

[snakeman]

Originally Posted by priusnve

This weekend after a thunderstorm my prius had several warning lights and wouldnt start, has anyone else experience these problems...may have been light by lightning!

I wouldn't think that a nearby lighting strike would harm the Prius since it, like all cars, would essentially act as a large Faraday cage that is additionally insulated from the ground by the tires. True, a large electromagnetic pulse can mess up computer equipment, but if the car is off at the time there shouldn't be an issue with that either. The only other thing to be concerned of would be heat damage from a lighting strike that's too near by. All of these would be issues with any car in/near a lighting strike regardless of make and model. However, the actual components vary from vehicle to vehicle.

If you can share with us the specific warning lights and any messages you're getting, that may help some of the technical gurus on here to solve your problems. Of course the best advice anyone can give you is call a tow truck to take it to a reputable mechanic to take a look.

Good luck.

[eko]

Maybe you shuold have installed a surge protector or I hear TECO sells zap caps for your house meter and now offers something similar for the Prius.....

[Bryan5]

One time during a thunderstorm, this loud booming thunder made my car's alarm go off. Poor thing was frightened, but I consoled it .

[priusnve]

Originally Posted by snakeman

I wouldn't think that a nearby lighting strike would harm the Prius since it, like all cars, would essentially act as a large Faraday cage that is additionally insulated from the ground by the tires. True, a large electromagnetic pulse can mess up computer equipment, but if the car is off at the time there shouldn't be an issue with that either. The only other thing to be concerned of would be heat damage from a lighting strike that's too near by. All of these would be issues with any car in/near a lighting strike regardless of make and model. However, the actual components vary from vehicle to vehicle.

If you can share with us the specific warning lights and any messages you're getting, that may help some of the technical gurus on here to solve your problems. Of course the best advice anyone can give you is call a tow truck to take it to a reputable mechanic to take a look.

Good luck.

Thank you for your reply. The instrument panel warnings were: Master warning light,hybrid system warning light, malfunction indicator lamp, and vsc light. There may have been more, but was so distressed, (love my prius) can't remember.

Did have AAA tow her to the toyota dealer, which was a learning experience for the wrecker driver and myself. Fortunately the owners manual is detailed in this area.

Only had her two months, but it was an instant bonding. Hope this is under warrenty and she can come home asap!

[Huntceet]

If not covered by warranty contact your insurance company.

Rod

[JamesWyatt]

Originally Posted by priusnve

This weekend after a thunderstorm my prius had several warning lights and wouldnt start, has anyone else experience these problems...may have been light by lightning!

You know I've also heard that if a plane flies directly over your Prius the vehicle will stall out. Also if the Earth's magnet field is having a bad day the Prius can't drive due north without throwing warning lights.

[Rokeby]

Originally Posted by priusnve

This weekend after a thunderstorm my prius had several warning lights and
wouldnt start, has anyone else experience these problems...may have been
light by lightning!

priusnve,

statistically speaking, a direct lightening strike is highly improbable.
Nonetheless, it does happen. I've seen some weird stuff on near strikes.
(But that's another story.)

It looks like early opinion here is evenly divided on the veracity of your
claim. So, like it or not, if you're really looking for help, its up to you to
provide some more hard data on the incident.

You could start with:
* Was the car garaged, or out in the open?
* Was the car running or shut down?
* If outside, was it near/under a tree or other tall/metallic object?
* Was there any evidence of a nearby strike? Is so, what?
* Did you inspect the outside of the car? If so, anything found?
* Other than the warning lights, did any electronics work; radio, GPS, int lights, etc?
* Did you check under the hood?
* Were there any unusual smells; under the hood, inside the car?

[Edit: Oops! Almost forgot, Welcome to PriusChat.]

[efusco]

I think there are a lot of things that are more likely causes than a lightning strike...even rain seeping under the hood would come first.

But you never know, let us know what the service folks find.